GSH and analogs in antiviral therapy.
Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most prevalent non-protein thiol in animal cells. Its de novo and salvage synthesis serves to maintain a reduced cellular environment. GSH is the most powerful intracellular antioxidant and plays a role in the detoxification of a variety of electrophilic compounds and peroxides via catalysis by glutathione-S-transferases (GST) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx). As a consequence, the ratio of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) serves as a representative marker of the antioxidative capacity of the cell. A deficiency in GSH puts the cell at risk for oxidative damage. An imbalance in GSH is observed in a wide range of pathologies, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cystic fibrosis (CF), several viral infections including HIV-1, as well as in aging. Several reports have provided evidence for the use of GSH and molecules able to replenish intracellular GSH levels in antiviral therapy. This non-conventional role of GSH and its analogs as antiviral drugs is discussed in this chapter.
Fraternale
Alessandra
A
Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 2, 61029 Urbino, PU, Italy. alessandra.fraternale@uniurb.it
Paoletti
Maria Filomena
MF
Casabianca
Anna
A
Nencioni
Lucia
L
Garaci
Enrico
E
Palamara
Anna Teresa
AT
Magnani
Mauro
M
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide